Ecclesiastes 5:16

Ecclesiastes 5:16 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind?
• English Standard Version (ESV)This also is a grievous evil: just as he came, so shall he go, and what gain is there to him who toils for the wind?
• New King James Version (NKJV)And this also is a severe evil— Just exactly as he came, so shall he go. And what profit has he who has labored for the wind?
• New Living Translation (NLT)And this, too, is a very serious problem. People leave this world no better off than when they came. All their hard work is for nothing—like working for the wind.

Context of Ecclesiastes 5:16

14or wealth lost through some misfortune, so that when they have children there is nothing left for them to inherit. 15Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. This too is a grievous evil: As everyone comes, so they depart, and what do they gain, since they toil for the wind? 17All their days they eat in darkness, with great frustration, affliction and anger. 18This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot.

Ecclesiastes 5:16 word by word

וְגַם־זֹה֙ רָעָ֣ה חוֹלָ֔ה כָּל־עֻמַּ֥ת שֶׁבָּ֖א כֵּ֣ן יֵלֵ֑ךְ וּמַה־יִּתְר֣וֹן ל֔וֹ שֶֽׁיַּעֲמֹ֖ל לָרֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• And thisזֹהzôh · thisH2090
• a soreחָלָהchâlâh · be weak: grievedH2470
• evilרָעָהra‛ râ‛âh · distress: evilH7451
• in all pointsעֻמָּה‛ûmmâh · closeH5980
• as he cameבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): comeH935
• so shall he goיָלַךְyâlak · to walkH3212
• and what profitיִתְרוֹןyithrôn · advantageH3504
• hath he that hath labouredעָמַל‛âmal · to toilH5998
• for the windרוּחַrûach · spirit: breathH7307

Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Ecclesiastes 5:13I have seen a grievous evil under the sun: wealth hoarded to the harm of its owners,
• Ecclesiastes 2:22What do people get for all the toil and anxious striving with which they labor under the sun?
• 1 Samuel 12:21Do not turn away after useless idols. They can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.
• Jeremiah 2:8The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the Lord?’ Those who deal with the law did not know me; the leaders rebelled against me. The prophets prophesied by Baal, following worthless idols.
• Mark 8:36What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?
• Ecclesiastes 1:3What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun?
• Proverbs 11:29Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise.
• Isaiah 26:18We were with child, we writhed in labor, but we gave birth to wind. We have not brought salvation to the earth, and the people of the world have not come to life.
• Hosea 8:7“They sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no head; it will produce no flour. Were it to yield grain, foreigners would swallow it up.
• John 6:27Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 9-17Verses 9-17 The goodness of Providence is more equally distributed than appears to a careless observer. The king needs the common things of life, and the poor share them; they relish their morsel better than he does his luxuries. There are bodily desires which silver itself will not satisfy, much less will worldly abundance satisfy spiritual desires. The more men have, the better house they must keep, the more servants they must employ, the more guests…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17Working just to gain possessions is like chasing the wind; it causes frustration, discouragement, and anger.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1616. Even supposing that he loses not his wealth before death, then at least he must go stripped of it all (Psa 49:17). laboured for the wind--(Ho 12:1; 1Co 9:26).Read the comment

Topics related to Ecclesiastes 5:16

• Riches

In the dictionaries

• Abundance
• Angry
• Defer
• Eat
• Error
• Vow
• Points
• Synagogue, the Great

Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 5

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings